This course will prepare you to develop a robust transdisciplinary understanding of planetary crises and proposed solutions, with global aspirations for sustainable futures (e.g., the UN SDGs) as a key reference point. It will increase your understanding of why concerns about uncertainty, diversity and equity matter when we aim to use scientific knowledge to engage with the critical challenges we face around climate change, novel technologies, resource consumption, deepening inequalities and related issues. The course will provide the foundations for recognising and engaging with different cultural lenses, both within science, and between science and other knowledge-systems. Concepts and themes around dialogical, participatory, inclusive and decolonial science communication will be introduced. Building on foundations from the course, you will reflect on the implications for doing science and for using science to inform publics, journalists, governments, industry, professional bodies or other scientists in discussions and practices intended to respond to interlocking planetary crises.
This course is co-taught with undergraduate students but assessed separately.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Understand the relevance of uncertainty, diversity and equity for communicating the sciences of planetary crises;
- Analyse key concepts, themes and empirical examples illustrating cultural differences in doing and using science;
- Apply the broader insights to analyse a concrete case of science or technology from different cultural lenses such as Indigenous, Western, global South and transdisciplinary knowledges ands where appropriate, reflect on this in professional environments;
- Develop and report on research undertaken to bring a transdisciplinary approach to a case study of science communication for planetary crises;
- Critically engage with theoretical and practical material and demonstrate its application in a research context.
Indicative Assessment
- Blog post (25) [LO 1,2]
- Transdisciplinary research proposal (25) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Transdisciplinary research report (4000 words) (50) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the session including:
- Intensive face-to face component over 5 days Monday-Friday (35 hours) including lectures plus seminars. Students participating online will be able to join activities remotely via Zoom.
- Approximately 95 hours of self-directed study which will include complementary readings, assignments and maintaining a reflective journal as part of the course.
Inherent Requirements
No specific inherent requirements have been identified for this course
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
No prescribed text required.
Preliminary Reading
Students will be provided readings from a range of sources throughout the course via the Learning Management System.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4680 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $6720 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Winter Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6351 | 08 Sep 2025 | 08 Sep 2025 | 19 Sep 2025 | 04 Nov 2025 | In Person | N/A |
| 6353 | 08 Sep 2025 | 08 Sep 2025 | 19 Sep 2025 | 04 Nov 2025 | Online | N/A |